RANAU: More than 90 teams from various districts with an estimated participation of 1,300 football players are expected to compete in the RYFC Cup 2.0 2026 grassroots football tournament which will be held here soon.
Organising Chairwoman, Sylviana Viana Saiki said the number does not include coaches, team managers, tournament officials, referees, parents and also supporters and the local community.
According to her, the organisation will be carried out on a larger and more organised scale.
Organised by the Ranau Youth Football Club (RYFC), this tournament will involve four age categories, namely Under 8 Years (U8), Under 10 Years (U10), Under 12 Years (U12) and Under 14 Years (U14).
“To ensure the smooth organisation, the matches will be held at two different main venues, namely for the U8 and U10 categories, the matches will be held at the SIB Pekan Ranau Church Field (May 1-2, 2026) while for the U12 and U14 categories, the matches will be held at the Ranau Sports Complex (May 9-10, 2026).
“This venue allocation was made to manage the high number of matches and provide comfort to players and supporters throughout the tournament,” she said.
Sylviana added that one of the main strengths of organising the RYFC Cup 2.0 2026 is that this tournament has received official approval from the Sabah State Education Department (JPNS), thus placing it as a recognised competition at the state level.
Through this recognition, she said all participants who participate in the tournament will receive a state-level participation certificate which has significant added value to students.
The certificate can be used for the purpose of Physical Activity, Sports and Co-Curricular Assessment (PAJSK); it helps to increase their co-curricular scores at school.
Furthermore, RYFC Cup 2.0 is not just an ordinary tournament, but is an ongoing initiative of RYFC in developing grassroots football in Sabah, especially in the Ranau district.
“With large participation, this tournament provides an opportunity for young players to experience the atmosphere of real competition, increase self-confidence and build valuable experience in the competitive grassroots football arena,” she said.
For each category, Sylviana said the team that successfully secured a place will receive cash prizes as well as accompanying prizes such as cups, medals and certificates of participation.
In addition, special individual awards are also provided to appreciate the performance of the best players in each category, namely, Best Player, Best Defence and Best Scorer.
“A total of 12 special individual awards will be presented, as a symbol of appreciation for the talent and efforts of the players throughout the tournament,” she said.
Meanwhile, in line with the goal of developing grassroots football, Sylviana said that the organiser also emphasised the education and development of players through the use of professional referees throughout the tournament.
“The presence of these experienced referees not only ensures a fairer and more orderly match, but also serves as a learning medium for young players to understand the rules of the game more accurately in real match situations.
“Through this exposure, players can build discipline, emotional control and high sportsmanship, which are important elements in the long-term development of an athlete.
“This approach is also in line with the organiser’s vision to produce players who are not only talented but also have a good understanding of the game and a professional attitude from the grassroots level,” she said.
In addition, she believes that this event is also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy in Ranau, with the presence of participants and visitors from various districts. Small business sectors such as food, beverage, accommodation, tourism and local services will also receive direct benefits.
Sylviana, who is assisted by the RYFC Head Coach, Coach Keiru and also the RYFC Parent Guardian Committee and the parents of RYFC trainees, stressed that the RYFC Cup 2.0 2026 is driven by a high commitment to the welfare, character development and long-term formation of young players at the grassroots level.
“RYFC Cup 2.0 is not just a competition to find champions, but rather to form a generation of players who are disciplined, competitive and have a strong identity. We want every player who takes to the field to have a meaningful experience, not just a victory.
“With the recognition from the Sabah State Education Department and a state-level certificate, I hope more parents and schools see this tournament as an important platform not only in sports, but also in supporting students’ co-curricular achievements through PAJSK.”With the encouraging response and improvements in terms of management and participation, RYFC Cup 2.0 is seen as having the potential to develop into one of the main grassroots tournaments in Sabah, especially in the Ranau district in the future.
Sylviana is optimistic that through the support of all parties, RYFC Cup will continue to be an important platform in producing a generation of football players who produce a generation of quality and high-potential football players.
“I hope that this tournament can be a continuous platform for RYFC to unearth new talents and open up opportunities for young players to go further in the world of football.
“We also hope to receive continued support from all parties including sponsors, parents, the community and the local community, not forgetting all the grassroots teams in Sabah, especially in the Ranau district,” said Sylviana.
